Bhubaneswar: Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra today informed the State Assembly that the previous BJD government had spent Rs 247.36 crore on distributing empty jute bags to ration card holders across the State ahead of the 2024 general elections.
In response to a query from Jagatsinghpur MLA Amarendra Das, Shri Patra said that jute bags, emblazoned with the 5T (Transformative Initiative) logo and the slogan ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha,’ were distributed in all 147 assembly constituencies.
Additionally, Rs 1,000 was provided to each household as financial assistance amounting to a total expenditure of Rs 959.05 crore. However, now there is no provision for providing the bags and assistance to those who have not received those, the Minister said.
Outside the Assembly, Shri Patra assured that the State government would investigate the distribution of the jute bags and take action if any irregularities were found.
He also announced that Aadhaar and biometric-based e-KYC (Know Your Customer) verification for NFSA beneficiaries began on August 22, 2024, and will continue until the entire state is covered.
To date, 44.33 lakh ration cards have undergone e-KYC verification, and ineligible beneficiaries, including those who have passed away, will be removed from the list. The minister added that new ration cards would be issued to applicants by the end of September after completing the verification process.
Highly criticizing the previous BJD government over the appointment of State Food Commission Chairperson, Shri Patra on Wednesday announced that a Committee will be formed to look into his appointment.
Though several highly qualified and competent aspirants including retired IAS, IFS and OAS had applied for the post, the BJD government had appointed a low profile person in the post, he said.
If the appointment process is found inappropriate, the person concerned will be relieved from the post of Food Commission Chairman, he assured the House.